George Voinovich

Who is in charge of that?

So the point is that there needs to be a lot more coordination, to start off with, that you would have these secure computers.

We assumed, based on what was told to us, that they had figured this out, and the fact is, they didn't.

I was told that they were building it way out and it would take the ambassador 35 or 40 minutes to come down to meetings.

Just one other thing, just for information purposes.

I think the thing that bothers me the most, and I think, Senator Akaka, you did a good job of laying it out, is that it appears that the people that have been brought on don't have the training that they need to get the job done.

So the fact is, it is cheaper.

May I ask you something?

Can we do a better job of preparing those individuals that we are asking to do this job?

Does the agency know whether or not they are getting a return on the investment that they are putting into that private sector?

I know that Secretary Clinton has indicated that she wants to move forward and improve the management.

What I am interested in knowing is how many countries have come to DHS interested in joining the program, and you have told them what the requirements are to get in.

I need to know how much money you do need.

Well, it is interesting. I was in Latvia in July, and I met with President Zatlers...

Next to our national security, the issue of the debt is the second most important thing we need to deal with right now

You indicated that you have done an analysis of the people that should be governmental and replacing contractors.

We are probably going to have to have folks there for a longer period than what the President presented.

I think it would be a good idea for us to talk maybe with Foreign Relations or to really get an idea of just what the commitment is going to be made in Iraq once the troops leave there.

One of the things that always bothered me about Iraq was the lack of planning documented in several books.

I have been concerned about the management of the State Department.

It appears that the Bureau lacks the strategic planning and with little capacity to prepare for future security needs.

I think that we may not be as candid as what we should be.

I really would like to know just what percentage of the people that are going to be doing this ought to be on the government payroll and not private contractors.

Thank you, Senator Akaka, and I appreciate your holding this hearing today.

I always wonder about these hearings and what comes out of it.